Newport’s hidden gem where lighthouse views meet endless sandy shores
Located between Yaquina Head and Nye Beach, Agate Beach stretches for about 2 miles and creates nearly 5 miles of uninterrupted shoreline when combined with neighboring Nye Beach. This expansive stretch of soft sand offers some of the most reliable beach walking on the Oregon Coast, with plenty of room to spread out even during busy summer months.
Lighthouse Views: Yaquina Head Lighthouse is right next door and you can see it from the beach – one of Oregon’s tallest and oldest active lighthouses
Surfing Paradise: Popular with surfers for its consistent waves and protected location
Photography Gold: Especially in the early morning or late evening Agate Beach offers unparalleled picture taking opportunity
Easy Access: Multiple parking areas and beach access points make it family-friendly
Insider Tip: While agates are no longer abundant here (despite the name), you should go early in the morning for the best beachcombing and to avoid crowds. The tunnel access at Agate Beach State Recreation Site adds a fun element for kids!
Newport’s historic oceanfront district where art meets the sea
Historic Nye Beach is the Art Heart of Newport, offering a perfect blend of cultural attractions, charming accommodations, and beautiful beach access. This historic resort area has been welcoming visitors for over a century, maintaining its old-world charm while offering modern amenities.
Historic Character: This historic district is Newport’s oceanfront resort area, rich in heritage and charm
Arts & Culture: Galleries, theaters, and art studios line the beachfront streets
Dining Scene: Various eateries, including seafood restaurants, bars, art galleries, and souvenir shops
Beach Activities: Beach-combing, Bike Riding, Kite Flying, Surfing, Sail-boating, Tide Pooling, Family Fun and so much more!
Perfect For: Couples seeking a romantic getaway with cultural flair, families who want beach fun plus rainy-day backup options, and anyone who appreciates historic coastal charm.
Seven miles of uninterrupted sandy paradise
Rockaway Beach, Oregon: seven miles of uninterrupted, sandy beaches, delicious restaurants serving local ingredients, eclectic shops full of unique treasures, and locals with big personalities. This friendly beach town offers some of the longest stretches of walkable sand on the Oregon Coast, backed by the dramatic Twin Rocks formations.
Endless Beach Walking: Seven miles of continuous sandy beach perfect for long strolls
Twin Rocks: Twin Rocks towering in the background our view is second to none
Family-Friendly: We host some of the greatest family festivals on the Oregon Coast
Authentic Charm: We aren’t your average beach town – genuine coastal community feel
Best Experience: Take a morning walk from one end of the beach to the other, stopping at local cafes for coffee and exploring the tide pools near the Twin Rocks formation.
Pacific City’s adventure playground beneath towering sand dunes
Pacific City, Oregon is home to breathtaking views of Haystack Rock from the wide beach at Cape Kiwanda. This unique beach combines massive sand dunes, dramatic sea stacks, and the famous Pacific City dory boat fleet for an unforgettable coastal experience.
Epic Sand Dunes: The cape consists of towering sand dunes, almost 250 feet high, that brave souls can trudge up to reveal spectacular views
Dory Boat Fleet: For more than 100 years, Pacific City has been home to the Dory Fishing Fleet, the only one of its kind in the lower 48 states
Haystack Rock Views: Different from Cannon Beach’s famous rock – this one rises 327 feet from the ocean
Craft Beer: Pelican Pub & Brewery right on the beach serves local ales with creative names
Adventure Activities: Popular activities include surfing, fishing and swimming (when ocean conditions are safe), plus hang gliding, fat tire biking, and climbing the massive sand dune for panoramic views.
Intimate coastal village with dramatic Three Capes scenery
Oceanside, a charming seaside village, offers picturesque views and serene beaches. This tiny community provides an authentic Oregon Coast experience away from the crowds, nestled along the scenic Three Capes Loop with stunning ocean vistas.
Secluded Location: Arch Cape is tucked between Manzanita Beach and Cannon Beach and features natural coastal arches
Three Capes Route: Part of Oregon’s most scenic coastal drive
Tide Pools: Excellent tide pooling opportunities during low tide
Small-Town Charm: Authentic fishing village atmosphere without commercial development
Perfect For: Romantic getaways, photographers seeking dramatic coastal landscapes, and travelers wanting to experience Oregon’s coast without the crowds.
Seven miles of pristine sand beneath Neahkahnie Mountain
Manzanita is a great little beach town on Oregon Coast. One of the best walking beaches without a huge crowd, good restaurants and fun stores. This charming village offers a beautiful stretch of pristine sand, perfect for lounging on or building sandcastles. The beach ends at the base of Neahkahnie Mountain, creating a stunning backdrop.
Perfect Beach Walking: You can walk for miles on hard packed sand
Mountain Backdrop: With its soft sands and panoramic views of Neahkahnie Mountain, this wide, idyllic stretch of coastline offers the perfect backdrop for relaxation and rejuvenation
Dog-Friendly: Let your dog run off-leash
Wine Country: In a quaint Oregon Coast town with a 7 mile beach, you’ll find incredible wine, firepits, a tasting room, winery and friendly customer service
Local Favorites: The Winery at Manzanita for ocean-view wine tasting, Cloud & Leaf bookstore for rainy day browsing, and the weekly farmers market for local treats.
Oregon’s classic family beach resort with old-school charm
Seaside represents the quintessential Oregon beach town experience, combining a historic beachfront promenade with modern family attractions. This bustling resort town has been welcoming families for over 150 years, offering the perfect blend of nostalgic charm and contemporary amenities.
The Promenade: Historic 1.5-mile boardwalk perfect for strolling and people-watching
Family Activities: Arcade games, bumper cars, aquarium, and classic seaside attractions
Lewis & Clark History: End of the famous expedition trail with historical markers
Wide Sandy Beach: Excellent for beach volleyball, sandcastle building, and kite flying
Best For: Families with children, couples seeking nostalgic romance, and anyone who loves classic American beach town atmosphere with saltwater taffy and carnival rides.
Southern Oregon’s photogenic masterpiece with incredible sea stacks
Ask ten people who are familiar with the Oregon Coast to name their top ten locations and you might get fifty different locations… but there are three that may make everyone’s list and this is one of them. On a coastline full of incredible scenery, Meyers Beach stands out as one of the best.
Spectacular Sea Stacks: Meyers Beach features ‘stacks’ that come right in to the beach, one of them with a tunnel thru it
World-Class Surfing: Meyers Beach has been the site of Windsurfing World Championship Competitions many times
Photography Paradise: If you are a photographer do yourself a favor and plan a morning or evening at Meyers Beach
Hidden Tunnel: At extreme low tides you can walk out and through the tunnel
Adventure Highlight: Serious beach walkers might want to explore the Pistol River beaches to the south, and the area is known for exceptional winter surfing conditions.
Dramatic southern coast beauty with world-famous rock formations
Bandon Beach showcases some of Oregon’s most photographed coastal scenery, featuring dramatic rock formations, expansive sandy beaches, and some of the most spectacular sunsets on the West Coast. This southern Oregon gem combines natural beauty with world-class golf and charming small-town hospitality.
Iconic Rock Formations: Including the famous Face Rock and Cathedral Rocks
Sunset Magic: Some of the most spectacular sunsets on the Oregon Coast
World-Class Golf: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort attracts golfers from around the globe
Cranberry Bogs: Unique agricultural landscape adds to the area’s charm
Photography Tips: Visit during golden hour for the most dramatic lighting on the sea stacks, and don’t miss the view from Coquille Point for panoramic coastal vistas.
Oregon’s crown jewel and most iconic coastal destination
Named one of the world’s 100 most beautiful places by National Geographic, this remarkable landscape will take your breath away. Cannon Beach represents the very best of Oregon’s coast, combining natural wonder with artistic culture and sophisticated amenities.
Haystack Rock: Walk our sandy beach crowned by Haystack Rock, an Oregon icon – the 235-foot sea stack featured in countless films and photographs
Art Town: Explore one of the top art towns in America with galleries, studios, and creative shops
Tide Pools: Some of Oregon’s best tide pooling around Haystack Rock’s base
Culinary Excellence: Savor the culinary bounty of the Pacific Northwest at award-winning restaurants
The Complete Experience: The stunning coastline views and remarkable natural areas blend magically with our charming village by the sea, where you can… enjoy luxurious oceanfront lodging. It’s just 90 minutes from Portland but light years from ordinary.
Best Times to Visit: Summer offers the warmest weather but largest crowds. Spring and fall provide excellent weather with fewer visitors. Winter brings dramatic storm watching opportunities.
Beach Safety: Whether you’re picnicking, soaking up the sun or watching a spectacular sunset, make sure your trip is a safe one. Visit our beach safety web page to learn about sneaker waves, rip tides and drift logs.
Oregon Beach Access: All of it — stretching from the Columbia River south to the Oregon/California border and between the vegetation line and extreme low tide — is waiting for you to take a stunning walk along the edge of the Pacific Ocean thanks to Oregon’s Beach Bill ensuring public access.
Each of these ten beaches offers its own unique slice of Oregon’s coastal magic. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, photography opportunities, or family fun, Oregon’s beaches deliver unforgettable experiences that will keep calling you back to the Pacific Northwest’s spectacular shoreline.
